Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 128i, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 25 | 64% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 8% |
| Structure | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was a recurring failure, and the veh
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
On or about 2022 I was given notice of recall which told me to go to any BMW dealer for repair. I went to Niello BMW in Sacramento. I was getting car processed and then told to summarily leave. They refused to repair m
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while his wife was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passe
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Front passenger air bag seat occupancy sensor (OC3) mat warning "Passenger restraint system. Fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag" BMW has an extended warranty for this exact issue on several other mod
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was c
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128i. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, she smelled a strong burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made awa
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHEN STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BREAK, CAR ACCELERATES & RPMS ROAR. DEALERS COMPUTER UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM, BUT DEALER SUGGESTS A BMW BATTERY OR REPLACING AN OUTSIDE POWER DOOR HANDLE, BUT NO GUARANTY
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 BMW 128i. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons,
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BM
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi);
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 63 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 25 of them (64%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.